On Thursday, Nov. 21, at 7:30 p.m. there will be a screening of a new
documentary film from India, "When Women Unite: The Story of an Uprising." The
film will be shown in 102 Johnston Student Center and will be followed by a
discussion with one of the film makers, Nata Duvvury. For more information,
call 1-7806.

Black Cultural Center plans jazz, poetry night

The Black Cultural Center invites the university community to express
its thoughts through poetry and prose accompanied by a live jazz band. The
performance is scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 8, at 8 p.m. in the Black Cultural
Center.

Performers must sign up by December 5 at the Black Cultural Center in Squires,
or by calling 1-5355. There is no fee for performing or attending the
performance.

For more information, call Chandra Cain at 1-5355 or send e-mail to
cainc@vt.edu.

Holidays at Smithfield planned

Holidays at Smithfield will be celebrated December 5-8. Live musical
entertainment, traditional craft and baking demonstrations, storytellers, a
juried flower show, and refreshments are planned at the restored Colonial-era
residence built by Col. William Preston in 1773. In addition, the Smithfield
Museum Store and annual Holiday Greenery Sale will be open all four days, and
Susanna's Tea Shoppe will be open on Saturday and Sunday.

The festivities begin Thursday, Dec. 5, with a National Council of State
Garden Clubs Inc. Standard Flower Show, titled "Walking Through a Colonial
Christmas." The show will feature artistic and creativity designs as well as
horticultural and educational exhibits.

Colonial-era craft demonstrations will be offered throughout the house on
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Additional craftsmen and storytellers will be
featured in the reconstructed Weaver's Cabin, a log structure adjacent to the
main house.

Hours for the programs are 2-6 p.m. daily. Admission is $4 for adults and $2
for students. Those who wish may enjoy a seated tea with homemade savories and
sweets in Susanna's Tea Shoppe on Saturday and Sunday for an additional
charge.

A reduced-rate four-day pass is available from the plantation's museum store
through Sunday, Dec. 1. This pass, $6 for adults and $3 for students, allows
repeated visits to all programs except the tea shoppe.

For more information, call 1-3947.

Marching Virginians sponsor food drive

The Marching Virginians will sponsor a massive canned-food drive in
conjunction with the football game versus West Virginia Saturday, Nov. 23. The
goal of the Hokies for the Hungry drive is 50,000 cans of food.

Drop-off points for the canned goods will be set up at Squires, outside Lane
Stadium, and across campus where tailgate pep bands will be stationed prior to
the noon kickoff. All contributions will be distributed through the Montgomery
County Christmas Store.

ILL department to close for winter break

The ILL department of Newman Library will be closed from December
21-January 2. Materials may be picked up during library hours at the Photocopy
Service Window.

DERC to visit Chesapeake/Norfolk area

The Department of Employee Relations Counselors will meet with
interested employees in Melfa on Dec. 5, 8:15 a.m.-4:30 p.m. in the conference
room of the Eastern Shore Community College, 29300 Lankford Highway; Virginia
Beach on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 8:45 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Virginia Tech Hampton
Roads Center in classroom 1 of Suite 401 in Pembroke Four at the Pembroke
Office Park; and in Norfolk on Thursday, Dec. 12, 10:15 a.m.-3:45 p.m. in the
meeting room of the Larchmont Branch Library, 6525 Hampton Boulevard.

The counseling program provides employees outside the Richmond area with an
opportunity to meet individually with a staff counselor and to receive
assistance in options for dealing with work-related concerns, discussion of
applicable state policies, information on the grievance procedure, and/or
referral for further assistance.

Half-hour appointments must be made in advance. To arrange an appointment,
call the Department of Employee Relations Counselors at 1-800-552-9720.